While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps - not fully highlighted in most official communications - can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).
2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.
5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc/bioflavonoids to boost absorption.
6. Drink as much of warm liquids as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
7 comments:
I am really sorry if this comes across wrong. But isn't most of this common sense...Do people not wash their hands frequently?
Most of it is but I didn't know/think about the gargeling w/ salt water and qtipping your nose w/ salt water were ideas I hadn't thought of that seem to make sense.
Great reminders! It's funny how yes, something as simple and something as common sense as washing your hands is what we need reminder for! Most people don't wash their hands nearly enough!!
This is good. Had never heard about the gargling. Thanks for sharing!
I guess I am tired of the hysteria the media is making this whole thing out to be. Then you hear wash your hands and that will help the spread and I think to myself do people not wash their hands that is all. I apolgize. My response was not you or the person who sent you that email or really to anyone directly. Just making a statement.I also am realizing how I live my life is not the norm to society so some of things I do are normal for my family where is to some families these are new things. Again, I am sorry if I came across as rude. I did not mean to seem harsh.
I was thinking of doing a similar post on my blog. I received a similar email and found the suggestion of gargling with salt water interesting, but like you, I haven't been able to find a reference. I've been searching for one this morning and that's what led me to your site. I even checked snopes - with no results. I've always heard that salt water is soothing to a sore throat, but that's after the fact. I guess it can't hurt though. All your other suggestions are great, and I don't think we can be reminded too often. Thanks.
very interesting information but now I care and my family also I like your website
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